From shoppers making their way to and from church and entertainers getting ready for the big game to procrastinators hitting the store before the weekend is over, Sundays are one of the most crowded times at grocery stores. Doing major shopping at peak hours is a bad idea; it's never fun to fight the crowds, endure long lines, and have to browse picked-over produce bins and sale racks.
When to go instead:
Off-hours are
typically first thing in the morning, late in the evening, and during the week.
It's easy to
think you'll remember every item you need once you're browsing the store, but
in the hustle and bustle of shopping, there's bound to be something you forget.
Before you leave home, take stock of your pantry items and make sure you've got
things like olive oil, pasta, and other staples you might not buy weekly. Meal
planning before your shopping trip will help you know what to grab (and save
yourself from having to figure out what to cook on the fly after work). Plus,
making a list beforehand lets you move more efficiently through the store.
Editor's Tip: If you organize your list by product type,
it's a breeze to pick everything up as you work through the aisles.
On top of making
it hard to concentrate, being hungry while grocery shopping can potentially
cause an increase in your spending. Past research has proved that shopping for
food on an empty stomach is a pricey risk. Hungry shoppers have the potential
to buy items they don't need or to fill their carts with unhealthy snacks.
Instead, shop after meals or take along a healthy snack to enjoy while you
shop.
The one
exception to this rule is when you want to be creative. We talked with Jeff
Mauro about why you should go to the grocery store when you're hungry.
Bringing your
own reusable totes is good for the environment (who needs another plastic bag
anyways?). Some stores even offer discounts for every reusable bag that you
bring into the store. Who doesn't need more ways to save money at the grocery
store?
When you plan
a longer shopping trip, you need to consider what items could lose their cool.
On lengthy shopping trips, begin in the produce section and end in the dairy or
meat aisles, as those products can spoil if left in a non-chilled environment
for too long.
It's hard
sometimes not to pick up an item when it's labeled with a brightly colored SALE
sticker, but you always want to look at other items and prices. Just because an
item is on sale doesn't mean it's the cheapest option. Look around on the shelf
and compare prices. Check store-brand products, too, as they can often be the
cheapest option.
Editor's Tip: Looking at different-sized packages? Check
the price per ounce to determine the real cost.
Stockers
follow a first-in, first-out organization (and so should you). They stock new
inventory behind the older inventory. For many items, like packaged foods or
frozen foods, expiration dates are far off anyway. But it's worth reaching to
the back for dairy, produce, eggs, and other fresh foods to grab the item with
the most-distant expiration date.
There's no
telling what specials or discounts your local grocery store may offer for
customers. It's possible your store offers extra savings for particular groups,
from senior citizens to students. Be sure to inquire about a discount card or a
store membership program, as these often provide extra savings and special
deals. Oftentimes, store discount cards are available for free or may provide
extra savings on gas and prescription medications.
If you're
looking to buy the freshest fruits and veggies, time your shopping trip to
coincide with deliveries. Shipments of produce often arrive at local grocers in
the morning as the store opens or later in the evening as the store prepares to
close. So if you're seeking the newest produce or a wider selection in the
store, find out when your store's shipments arrive and choose those times to
shop.
When you do
buy produce, don't buy too much. It's easy to get overenthusiastic at the
store. Remember how long fresh produce really lasts, and buy only what you'll
use.
If you don't
have time to clip coupons, glancing at sale ads is a smart, quick way to save
money—even firehouse chefs do it. Compare prices at local stores and look for
potential discounts on items you know you'll be buying.
If an item
you buy frequently goes on sale, stock up. Many common foods can be frozen,
including staples like milk.
Editor's Tip: Many grocery stores offer price matching
with competitors, which can save you dollars without forcing you to take
multiple trips to different stores. (Don't forget to bring along the ad if you're
planning to ask for a price match.)
When you only
have a few items (or aren't in the mood for making small talk), the self-check
option is super appealing. However, it's not always the best option. Skip the
self-checkout lane if you've got a whole cart full—it'll take you twice as long
to scan and bag all your items. Opt-out if you have anything that requires ID,
like alcohol or even certain OTC medications. Skip it if you have coupons, too.
Many stores require employees to digitally sign off on them. Check out our full
list of self-check dos and don'ts.
Do your best
to place items in the order you wish for them to be bagged—this will definitely
help your bagger out. Start with heavier items, like cans and jars; then add
rigid boxes and containers; and finish with smaller, softer or breakable items
like fresh produce and eggs. This will help protect fragile items on the
journey home and save time when it comes to unloading them.
Inspired to
streamline your kitchen life even more? Check out our staff's favorite kitchen
organization tricks, or learn how to make the most of your counter space.
The post 12
Secret Grocery Shopping Tips You Need to Know appeared first on Taste of Home.
15 Things I Always Buy at the Asian Grocery Store
I’m aware
that I’ve listed three things in the title, and what I really mean is “all the
produce,” but since that’s a whole list in itself, we’ll just start with three.
Thai chilis, also called bird’s eye chilis, are small, fiery powerhouses that
set your whole torso on fire. They come in mature red or less mature green
varieties. The green is said to be slightly less spicy but honestly, at a
certain point, if you’re sweating, you’re sweating. They’ve become more widely
available in other markets but I find the price is unbeatable at the Asian
grocery store. You can get a huge pack of 60-70 chilis for around two dollars.
Bai Makrut,
or Makrut lime leaf, is hard to find but if you do, it’ll be in the produce
section, still attached to small branches from the tree. Chiffonade this
aromatic leaf into curries or as a garnish to impart a subtle lime flavor to
the dish. You can also drop the leaf in whole (I usually remove the center rib)
and fish it out later if you don’t want to eat it, similarly to how you treat a
bay leaf.
Long beans,
also called yard-long beans, are always in the produce section and I’ve never
seen them look subpar. They have a similar flavor to their short cousin, the
green bean, but are better if eaten raw or quickly cooked. Don’t blanch long
beans the way you would a green bean, keep them crunchy by adding them toward
the end of a stir-fry and other dishes with multiple ingredients. Use them in a
long bean stir fry, or chopped up in kai yad sai.
What To Consider Before Buying Pre-Cut Produce At The
Grocery Store
Many reasons
exist for buying pre-cut produce from your grocer, convenience being probably
the biggest one. Need to skip the cutting process yourself, or simply want to
save time? Meal prep can be labor intensive, and, for many, pre-cut is often
the answer. This can be especially true for those who find slicing up fruits
and veggies difficult. Besides, per the Food and Drug Administration, produce
is usually safe to eat even when pre-cut, as long as it's undamaged, clean, and
kept cool (particularly in a fridge). It doesn't hurt to also wash the produce
before eating it, though.
Cutting up
and then packaging fresh produce can also increase its longevity, according to
Men's Health. That's because a lot of fruits and vegetables produce carbon
dioxide once sliced, so producers can seal them up with that, instead of lots
of oxygen. This leads to less oxidation and results in longer-lasting produce.
Considering all of this, why are some savvy shoppers still cutting pre-cut
produce from their grocery lists?
The extra
work it takes to pre-cut produce means more labor for the company that provides
it. Those businesses pass the cost along to you to stay afloat. In 2018, VICE
found that buying pre-cut food instead of chopping it up yourself could cost
you as much as a hundred bucks per month. If you're concerned about your
wallet, consider skipping the grocery store produce aisle and saving money by
buying cheaper, intact produce at farmers' markets.
Pre-cut
produce is also usually less nutritious than whole fruit (via Men's Health).
Caroline West Passerrello of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says,
"Cutting fruits or vegetables exposes them to oxygen and light, and
sometimes heat, all of which affect vitamin retention in food." Better to
be safe than sorry for food safety, too. For example, if leafy greens get
ripped and packaged, that provides contamination and an environment to fester in.
One other
thing to consider is portioning. If you're buying pre-cut, packaged stuff, it's
probably going to come in one or two standard sizes, which may not always fit
your eating habits. Pre-cut produce restricts how much you can buy of the
things you love. Nobody wants to choose between too much or too little, and
produce's high perishability means leftovers can easily spoil.
The Most Popular Grocery Store in Every State
Map of America's favorite grocery stores by state
Grocery stores: the great regional divide. As much as we
like to expound powerful arguments about which one is the best, information insights
platform Wise Voter recently looked at the most popular grocery stores by
actual foot traffic in each state. According to the site, foot traffic in
grocery stores has increased by 2.9% since last year. Here are some other
interesting tidbits about the map above:
Albertsons
cleans up across a broad swath of the West, with Hy-Vee taking a chunk of the
Midwest and Meijer, Kroger, Safeway, and Food Lion dominating in their respective
regions.
While the
Wise Voter report lists each state’s top five most popular grocery stores (or
at least the most walked-in), Wyoming only had one store listed, and North
Dakota only had two. Both of these states had Albertsons at the top; North
Dakota also had Fred’s. Maine also had only two stores listed: Trader Joe’s and
Vons. All very different, but similar in that each of these stores sounds like
it’s run by a powerful produce lord.
There’s a
grocery store called Harris Teeter in Maryland and Virginia, which is an
incredible way to learn that grocery stores can have full names. A grocery
store can just be called “Rima Parikh”? Do celebrities know about this? Is this
a business opportunity for them at all? What if you could go pick up oranges
from a place called “Dennis Rodman”?
Speaking of
stores that sound like someone’s full name, Piggly Wiggly should be national.
More grocery stores should have animal-related names. Food Lion’s no Piggly
Wiggly, but at least it’s having fun!
Jewel-Osco supremacy! Jewel-Osco supremacy! (I’m from
Illinois.)
Trader Joe’s
has the top foot traffic in both California and Maine and makes the top-five
list of a few other states. It makes sense as a snack emporium, but in terms of
produce, I’ve always found TJ’s to be somewhat lacking. Maybe that varies by
location, or maybe it’s because my memories are tainted by the sheer amount of
bagged frozen pasta I bought there in my early 20s.
Sentimental
value aside, a grocery store is a grocery store. All of them are going to have
roughly what you need, especially if what you need is to disassociate in the
pasta aisle.
20 Grocery Store Items with the Highest Markups
These days,
it’s impossible to ignore the impact of inflation. Prices continue to soar on
everything from housing to entertainment to gas and cars. Unfortunately,
experts predict that everyday essentials are about to get more expensive. This
rings especially true when it comes to food. According to the Consumer Price
Index, which measures the cost of goods for the average consumer, grocery
prices are up 13.1% over the past year, the largest 12-month increase since
1979.
Phil Lempert, the founder of Supermarket Guru and CEO of the Retail Dietitians Business Alliance,
says there are some specific factors driving up food prices. For starters,
fires and floods caused by climate change are destroying crops around the
world. Decreased availability means increased costs, he explains. The price of
transportation has also gone up considerably. “Pre-pandemic, it cost about
$2,000 to bring a container of food from China to the U.S.,” says Lempert. “Now
it’s about $25,000.” Once it arrives, labor shortages contribute to delays in
unloading and distribution. There are about 110,000 fewer truck drivers in the
country compared with five years ago. That’s a big problem when our food supply
relies on long-haul truck transportation.
If you’re
trying to figure out how to save money on groceries, you need to shop smart.
Start by avoiding shrinkflation—when product sizes decrease, but their prices
don’t—sneaky tactic brands hope you don’t notice. Get familiar with grocery
store secrets and supermarket tricks to conserve cash. And finally, save up to
half off your total bill by simply avoiding the steep markup on certain items,
including the ones listed below.
Baked goods
The
intoxicating aroma of hot-out-of-the-oven goodies is hard to ignore but
trust us: Keep walking past the bakery. Freshly made cookies, cakes, and muffins
cost about three times more at the store than they do when you whip up a batch
at home, says Alexa von Tobel, founder of financial planning company LearnVest.
Unless you’re buying for a special occasion, you probably don’t need the
professionally made confections.
What to do instead
“Take time to
calculate the trade-off you’re making, so you know if the convenience is really
worth it,” von Tobel says. In a time crunch, they might be best, but if you can
sacrifice an hour, buy the ingredients yourself (or use a mix from a box). The
homemade version will be well worth it. Also, check out the bakery’s sale
section. If items are about to expire, you can snag them for a bargain and
freeze them for later (or eat them that day—we won’t judge!). To shop with
confidence, check out the best grocery stores, ranked by value.
Beauty products
You’ll pay a
premium for the convenience of picking up makeup, hair products, and other
toiletries at the grocery store say personal finance expert Rachel Cruze,
author of Love Your Life Not Theirs: 7 Money Habits for Living the Life You
Want. If you buy a 38-ounce bottle of Pantene Pro-V Ultimate Care Moisture Repair
Shine shampoo, you’ll pay $9.98 at Sam’s Club or $17.37 at Walmart versus
$31.26 at Kroger.
What to do instead
Cruze
recommends waiting for a sale or coupon at a drugstore or heading to a
discount supermarket. “It may seem like you’re only saving a few dollars, but
it adds up,” she says. Also, check out local beauty supply stores; when a shop
specializes in an item, they’re able to offer lower prices. If you’re not loyal
to any specific brand, dollar stores stock basic skin-care essentials for a
steal.
Cooking tools
It might not
be until you’re stocking up on supplies that you realize—oh, yeah!—you don’t
actually have a rubber spatula to frost the cake you were planning to make. But
you’ll have to dish out more dough for the convenience of picking up these
tools, even at the grocery stores with the best reputations. Lempert says many
nonfood items like these go through a rack jobber or a vendor that rents space
in a supermarket to display and sell goods not traditionally offered there.
“There’s going to be a higher markup because you’re dealing through a
distributor,” he says.
What to do instead
Avoid
grabbing cooking utensils like can openers and graters from the grocery store,
and consider making a separate stop on your way home. “Those types of items are
usually much cheaper at discount retailers like Walmart,” says Cruze. If you
can spare a few days for shipping, you can also try browsing online for the
best deal.
Prepared foods
That tub of
potato salad might look tempting for tonight’s dinner, but it’ll cost you.
Depending on the dish, you could save up to 90% on items like premade salads,
hot-bar items, and ready-to-eat meals, says Jill Caponera, a consumer savings
expert at Promocodes.com. But the price isn’t everything, warns Lempert. He
emphasizes comparing ingredients, nutritional information, recipe, and quality
when deciding what to buy.
What to do instead
You’re at a
grocery store, so why not get the ingredients to make it yourself? Sure, it may
take more time, but it’s well worth the savings. Plus, buying individual
ingredients and keeping them in your kitchen will set you up for success in the
long run. If you do a little meal prep and plan in advance, it’s possible to
get dinner on the table faster than it would take to get something delivered.
If you’re
really set on prepared foods, opt for those that won’t break the bank. A
rotisserie chicken is usually the most affordable option, especially if you buy
Costco’s famous $5 bird. Also, hit up the frozen department. Lempert says when
comparing similarly prepared meals, frozen will cost at least 40% less than its
fresh counterpart.
Precut produce
Produce has
one of the highest markups because it’s the most perishable, explains Lempert.
When you buy chopped or cubed fruits and veggies from the grocer, you’re also
paying for the time the staff took to cut it up. For instance, a seeded
watermelon typically costs 31 cents to 38 cents per pound, but one pound of
fresh-cut watermelon chunks will set you back $6.16 at Wegmans.
What to do instead
“This huge premium
can be avoided by buying the product in raw form and preparing it yourself
ahead of time—typically for the week,” says Dustyn Ferguson, founder of the money-saving site Dime Will Tell. You should also stock up on frozen produce;
it’s frozen during peak ripeness, so its flavor and nutrients stay intact. If
you pick up frozen fruit during a sale, you’ll save even more. Here are more
things money experts tend to buy cheaply.
Greeting cards
Picking up a
birthday card while you’re buying a cake seems like a no-brainer—until you look
at the price tag, which will usually be around $7. “Since grocery stores
typically only carry a small number of cards, expect to pay top dollar,” says
Caponera.
What to do instead
Head to a
dollar store, which usually has a two-for-$1 deal, or better yet, buys a set of
occasion-neutral cards in bulk that you can also use for anniversaries,
thank-yous and more. Or go the DIY route by finding a free template online and
printing your card at home. Trust us: A thoughtful, one-of-a-kind creation will
always be a sweet surprise. And changing even a few of your grocery habits can
save you a bundle.
Organic items
Of course, you
want healthy options. Unfortunately, more often than not, good-for-you food
comes at a premium. Your typical supermarket will have a higher price tag for
organic products than a store with a health specialist. “For example, something
organic at a store like Trader Joe’s will likely be cheaper than the same item
at a Shaw’s, simply because the item is in more demand at a Trader Joe’s, which
allows the price to be lower,” says Ferguson.
What to do instead
Hit up
health-conscious stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s for cheaper prices.
Case in point: A loaf of organic whole wheat bread costs $3.99 at Whole Foods,
but you’ll pay $6 for Wegmans’s organic brand. Also check out neighborhood farm
stands and farmers' markets, since buying directly from local vendors may reduce
costs. Before you buy, though, decide if organic is even worth it. According to
Consumer Reports, certain organic foods are more of a “must” than others. For
example, produce like apples, kale and zucchini are high on the list because of
potential pesticide exposure.
Over-the-counter medications
Avoid the
aisle with over-the-counter pain-relief drugs, decongestants, and allergy meds.
The medications you’ll find at a grocery store can be 15% to 30% more expensive
than generic brands at a drugstore or discount store, says Caponera. “More
often than not, generic brands are nearly identical to name-brand products,”
she adds.
What to do instead
Most grocery
stores and drugstores have their own in-house label, and these products will be
of better value. This is one of the things grocery stores won’t tell you, and
it’s a surefire way to save money. Even better, these generic products are
usually located right next to their name-brand counterpart on shelves, so you
don’t have to look far. However, compare the ingredients between products to
make sure you’re getting what you need before making your purchase.
Paper products
You’re going
to pay a hefty price to buy disposable nonfood items, such as toilet paper and
paper towels. at the grocery store. Snag discounts by cutting coupons the
old-fashioned way, or download a store’s app to get notified of current and
upcoming sales. Always check unit pricing too. It may take a little math
(divide the total cost of the product by the quantity), but it will help you
figure out the best grocery deals.
What to do instead
This is when
buying in bulk makes the most sense. These items will never expire, so it’s
smart to stock up. You’ll find the lowest prices for quality paper goods at
wholesale clubs rather than at grocery stores. For instance, a 12-pack of
Costco’s Kirkland paper towels costs $22.99, and you’d pay about the same at
Kroger, but for half the amount of product. For smaller quantities, the dollar
store often stocks essentials from name brands like Bounty, Charmin, and Hefty.
But if you’re at the supermarket and you can’t wait, here’s the cheapest day of
the week to buy.
Pet food
For the best
deal, don’t get your dog’s or cat’s meals at the same place you buy food for
the rest of your family. “You’ll likely only find a half aisle at most
dedicated to pet food at your local grocery store, making the selection more
expensive,” says Caponera.
What to do instead
Check
warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club and Costco, or online retailers like Amazon,
for the best price, Caponera says. One can of Purina Friskies cat food costs 90
cents at Kroger, but you’ll pay about 70 cents per can if you buy the same
brand in bulk on Amazon. Another incentive for shopping on Amazon is the
“subscribe and save” program, which offers additional discounts (like 40% off
the Purina cat food) if you set up a recurring order. You can unlock big savings
on items you regularly use by signing up for auto-delivery, not to mention save
on time, since you’ll never run out. Bonus: You can choose how often it gets
sent, as well as skip an order or cancel at any time.
Laundry detergent
“When you
compare the pricing of bulk detergent versus the size you’ll find in the grocery
store, it’s a no-brainer,” says Caponera. Expect to save 9 cents on every Tide
Pod by buying in bulk at Costco, or save money by buying regular-size detergent
at Target, Walmart, or Amazon—preferably with a coupon.
What to do instead
Buying in
bulk will yield the highest savings. If you don’t go that route, always check a
store’s grocery shopping app or a budget app, which may give you access to
exclusive coupons and sale prices. Also, join loyalty reward programs for
special deals and discounts.
Cereal
Cereal is a
perennial pantry staple. It’s a quick and easy breakfast loved by kids (and
adults), and you probably mindlessly throw it in your cart during shopping
trips. But it’s a surprisingly bad buy at the grocery store. According to the
Consumer Price Index, the price of cereals increased 15% over the past year, so
it has never been more important to find money-saving options.
What to do instead
If you don’t
want to give up your favorite box of Kellogg’s, you’ll pay less for name brands
at discount grocers like Aldi. But if you can tear yourself away, do it.
Lempert says you can save up to 25% by buying a store’s in-house cereal label.
They usually look and taste the same too—and have nearly identical ingredients
and nutritional content.
Light bulbs
Light bulbs
usually have a 60% markup in supermarkets compared with other stores, says
Caponera. Try buying in bulk (no expiration date!), or find them at a discount
shop like a dollar store, she suggests.
What to do instead
Shop online.
Light bulbs are among the things you should always buy on Amazon. You can get a
24-pack of energy-efficient 60-watt LED bulbs for $23.99 there. The price
amounts to just $1 per bulb, which is a lot less than you’ll pay at a grocery
store. At H-E-B, a single 60-watt bulb costs $4.10, while a similar version at
Wegmans will set you back $4.42. Here are even more things you can buy on
Amazon for less than a dollar.
Batteries
As with other
home goods, you’ll pay for convenience if you pick up batteries on your grocery
run. You can get those at the dollar store for pennies on the dollar. Since
most batteries have a 10-year shelf life, it’s smart to stock up on them for
emergencies.
What to do instead
Buy batteries
in bulk at a discount warehouse club. Also, check out Amazon for similar
savings. The shopping behemoth makes its own version under its Amazon Basics
brand. You can snag a 48-count package of AA batteries for $13.14—you’ll pay
close to 50% more for the same amount of name-brand Energizer batteries. And
you don’t have to worry about quality: These batteries have more than 390,000
glowing five-star reviews on Amazon. The deal for AAA batteries is even better:
Get 100 Amazon Basics AAAs for a mere $22.99. That’s almost half of what you’d
pay for an off-brand at Target!
“Pretty” produce
You know the
saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? This applies to certain foods too.
Stores know that shoppers prefer “pretty” fruits and vegetables to produce that
are oddly shaped. And while those ideal specimens are marked up, you might be
able to find less-perfect-looking options for a fraction of the cost.
What to do instead
Ignore
aesthetics. “An increasing number of supermarkets, including Walmart, sell
‘ugly’ produce at cut-rate prices—think 50% off,” says von Tobel. They might
have a bruise or a funny shape, but they’ve got just as much flavor and
nutrients as their better-looking counterparts. There is also a crop of new
subscription services, including Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods, that aims
to reduce food waste by providing low-cost options for unattractive produce. If
you’re willing to overlook appearances, these subscription boxes are some of
the cheapest ways to order groceries online.
Bottled water
is by far the most overpriced item in a grocery store. According to a report
from Harvard University, it’s about 3,000% more expensive per gallon than tap
water. The study also debunks the myth that bottled water is better for you:
“Bottled water generally is no cleaner, safer, or healthier than tap water.
In fact, the federal government requires far more rigorous and frequent safety
testing and monitoring of municipal drinking water.” If you need even more
reasons to ditch bottled water, do it for the environment. At least 14 million
tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year.
What to do instead
The easiest
solution is to buy a reusable water bottle. (They even make smart versions, if
you prefer.) The Earth Day website reports that Americans purchase about 50
billion water bottles per year, averaging about 13 bottles per month for every
person in the United States! By using a reusable water bottle instead, you
could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually. Want to be extra safe?
Buy a filtration system for around $30 and attach it to your faucet.
Don’t be
fooled by the fresh seafood counter. Fish is always frozen when it arrives at
the supermarket; it’s then thawed out and presented on ice. So it may appear
like you’re splurging on a fresh catch, but it’s actually a bait and switch,
and one of the major shopping mistakes that waste money.
What to do instead
The frozen
version is the superior choice. If you buy fish directly from the frozen-food
department, you can probably save 35% to 40%, says Lempert. He also says
there’s a good chance it’s a better product anyway because it hasn’t already
been defrosted by the distributor, then rechilled by the grocery store.
Fishermen are also now vacuum-sealing fish immediately after they’re caught to
improve quality even more.
The markup on
meat depends on the type, cut, and quality, but if you’re at the deli or butcher
counter, expect to pay a premium. Any service department that involves human
beings (who have to be specially trained, to boot) will have higher markups,
explains Lempert. Labor and additional costs for special equipment also
create higher expenses and drive up prices.
What to do instead
“If you’re
buying frozen meat versus fresh meat, you can save anywhere between 25% and
35%,” says Lempert. Meats are packed and frozen at the peak of freshness, so
you aren’t losing any quality, he adds. Also look for prepackaged meat that’s
on sale, stock up when you find a good deal, and freeze the extra servings for
later.
Fromage
fiends can get their favorite variety prepackaged in the dairy department,
sliced in the deli, or fresh from specialty displays. The FDA regulates dairy,
which means cheese makers must follow specific rules to maintain a certain
quality. In fact, there are 75 different federal criteria that control things
like ingredients permitted, manufacturing, and the production process. That
means regardless of the brand or packaging, you’re guaranteed a certain
standard—whether it’s Swiss, cheddar or mozzarella—despite the supermarket
myths you might have heard.
What to do instead
Forgo the
deli and skip any overly decorated artisanal blends. “It’s really the same
product, just sold in different parts of the store,” Lempert says. You’ll save
about 40% to 45% in the dairy department on no-frills brands and any assortment
wrapped in plain plastic, he notes.
Consider it a
sign of the times, but inflation doesn’t seem to be slowing down liquor
consumption. In fact, online alcohol sales from grocery stores are expected to
reach nearly $2 billion in 2022. Even so, you can expect about a 25% markup if
you want to pick up your favorite booze while shopping for your weekly provisions.
What to do instead
You can score
lower-priced libations at a warehouse club, but Lempert suggests going to a
retailer that specializes in alcohol, such as Total Wine & More. Stores
that focus on just one type of product are buying in a higher volume, which
brings down prices. You’ll also have a much larger variety, so it’ll be easier
to find that limited edition White Claw flavor or discover an amazing new
locally sourced wine.
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12 Secret Grocery Shopping Tips You Need to Know
From shoppers
making their way to and from church and entertainers getting ready for the big
game to procrastinators hitting the store before the weekend is over, Sundays
are one of the most crowded times at grocery stores. Doing major shopping at
peak hours is a bad idea; it's never fun to fight the crowds, endure long lines, and have to browse picked-over produce bins and sale racks.
When to go instead: Off hours are typically first thing in the
morning, late in the evening, and during the week.
It's easy to
think you'll remember every item you need once you're browsing the store, but
in the hustle and bustle of shopping, there's bound to be something you forget.
Before you leave home, take stock of your pantry items and make sure you've got
things like olive oil, pasta, and other staples you might not buy weekly. Meal
planning before your shopping trip will help you know what to grab (and save
yourself from having to figure out what to cook on the fly after work). Plus,
making a list beforehand lets you move more efficiently through the store.
Editor's Tip: If you organize your list by product type,
it's a breeze to pick everything up as you work through the aisles.
On top of making it hard to concentrate, being hungry while grocery shopping can potentially cause an increase in your spending. Past research has proved that shopping for food on an empty stomach is a pricey risk. Hungry shoppers have the potential to buy items they don't need or to fill their carts with unhealthy snacks. Instead, shop after meals or take along a healthy snack to enjoy while you shop.
The one
exception to this rule is when you want to be creative. We talked with Jeff
Mauro about why you should go to the grocery store when you're hungry.
When you plan
a longer shopping trip, you need to consider what items could lose their cool.
On lengthy shopping trips, begin in the produce section and end in the dairy or
meat aisles, as those products can spoil if left in a non-chilled environment
for too long.
It's hard
sometimes not to pick up an item when it's labeled with a brightly colored SALE
sticker, but you always want to look at other items and prices. Just because an
item is on sale doesn't mean it's the cheapest option. Look around on the shelf
and compare prices. Check store-brand products, too, as they can often be the
cheapest option.
Editor's Tip: Looking at different-sized packages? Check
the price per ounce to determine the real cost.
Stockers
follow a first-in, first-out organization (and so should you). They stock new
inventory behind the older inventory. For many items, like packaged foods or
frozen foods, expiration dates are far off anyway. But it's worth reaching to
the back for dairy, produce, eggs, and other fresh foods to grab the item with
the most-distant expiration date.
There's no
telling what specials or discounts your local grocery store may offer for
customers. It's possible your store offers extra savings for particular groups,
from senior citizens to students. Be sure to inquire about a discount card or a
store membership program, as these often provide extra savings and special
deals. Oftentimes, store discount cards are available for free or may provide
extra savings on gas and prescription medications.
If you're looking to buy the freshest fruits and veggies, time your shopping trip to coincide with deliveries. Shipments of produce often arrive at local grocers in the morning as the store opens or later in the evening as the store prepares to close. So if you're seeking the newest produce or a wider selection in the store, find out when your store's shipments arrive and choose those times to shop.
When you do
buy produce, don't buy too much. It's easy to get overenthusiastic at the
store. Remember how long fresh produce really lasts, and buy only what you'll
use.
If you don't
have time to clip coupons, glancing at sale ads is a smart, quick way to save
money—even firehouse chefs do it. Compare prices at local stores and look for
potential discounts on items you know you'll be buying.
If an item
you buy frequently goes on sale, stock up. Many common foods can be frozen,
including staples like milk.
Editor's Tip: Many grocery stores offer price matching
with competitors, which can save you dollars without forcing you to take
multiple trips to different stores. (Don't forget to bring along the ad if
you're planning to ask for a price match.)
The little girl
is at the self-service checkout of the supermarket with her father.©
DGLimages/Shutterstock Little girl is at the self-service checkout of the
supermarket with her father. Know When to Use the Self-Checkout
When you only
have a few items (or aren't in the mood for making small talk), the self-check
option is super appealing. However, it's not always the best option. Skip the
self-checkout lane if you've got a whole cart full—it'll take you twice as long
to scan and bag all your items. Opt-out if you have anything that requires ID,
like alcohol or even certain OTC medications. Skip it if you have coupons, too.
Many stores require employees to digitally sign off on them. Check out our full
list of self-check dos and don'ts.
Do your best
to place items in the order you wish for them to be bagged—this will definitely
help your bagger out. Start with heavier items, like cans and jars; then add
rigid boxes and containers; and finish with smaller, softer or breakable items
like fresh produce and eggs. This will help protect fragile items on the
journey home and save time when it comes to unloading them.
Inspired to
streamline your kitchen life even more? Check out our staff's favorite kitchen
organization tricks, or learn how to make the most of your counter space.
This Is the
Only Thanksgiving Grocery Shopping List You'll Ever Need
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Whether this
year is the first time you will be preparing the Thanksgiving menu, or you've
hosted the holiday feast at your home many times in the past, one of the most
important tools for getting prepared and organized is a Thanksgiving shopping
list. That's why we've put this handy checklist together. It contains all the
basic tools and ingredients you need to have on hand for a classic Thanksgiving
feast.
How to Use This List
While
everyone's Thanksgiving menu is a little different, there is often a lot of
overlap—mashed potatoes aren't negotiable! So while you may not need every item
listed here, chances are high that you'll want to have most of them on hand.
That said, you should go ahead and choose your turkey recipe, Thanksgiving side
dishes, and Thanksgiving desserts, and make sure those ingredients are on your
list. Then you'll want to cross-reference that list with ours and put
everything together on one list.
Next, go
through your pantry, cupboards, and fridge, to see what you already have, so
that you're not doubling up on anything. If you have something that is on your
list, cross it off. Your kitchen will be full enough as it is, without double
bags of flour, or an extra turkey baster!
Now it's time
to hit the store. We recommend doing your shopping no more than a week out from
the big day—that way the fresh ingredients don't go bad.
Hopefully,
with this list and advice, your Thanksgiving will be much less stressful. Happy
shopping!
Because the
bird is the star of the show, you'll want to make sure it's absolutely perfect.
The key to a succulent turkey is getting the skin crispy while ensuring the
meat stays juicy. To make sure it achieves the best of both worlds, here are
the tools you'll need in your arsenal.
Roasting Pan
You'll want
to invest in a quality roasting pan and skip the disposable versions. But you
don't need to spend an arm and a leg on one. Since you're likely only using it
once or twice a year, as long as it is sturdy, it will get the job done and
last for years.
Our Choice: Cook Pro Roasting Pan
Turkey Baster
Get a quality
(non-leaking) baster and use it throughout the cooking process—not just before
you pop the pan in the oven. By basting the bird as it roasts, you'll ensure
the turkey doesn't dry out. This step is very important if you have an
especially big bird.
Our Choice: Norpro Deluxe Stainless Baster Set
Meat Thermometer
A digital
thermometer is possibly the most important tool to have. It will keep you from
serving an overcooked, dried-out bird—or worse, a dangerous, undercooked one.
Our Choice: ThermoPro Large Digital Thermometer
Fresh Herbs
When it comes
to fall recipes, there's a pretty standard mix of herbs you'll use. These
include plenty of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage. Not only will the
combination add tons of flavor, but it'll also make your kitchen smell amazing.
Butter (Lots!)
If there's
one ingredient you can never have too much of, it's unsalted butter. (We prefer
unsalted because then you can control how much salt goes into a recipe. This is
especially important with baked goods). Butter will be used in just about every
single item you make on Thanksgiving. It will help get your turkey skin nice
and crackly and is a must in many side dishes and desserts, so be sure to load
up on a couple pounds of it.
Side Dishes
Although the
bird (or Tofurky if you're having a vegetarian meal) is the centerpiece, the
sides are often the most desired dishes at Thanksgiving dinner. Because
variety is the spice of life—and the holiday season—including plenty of options
on your table to please everyone's likes. Some of the most beloved dishes are
green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato pie, and cranberry sauce.
Your guests will also probably be expecting some homemade gravy and stuffing.
It's a good idea to include a few vegetable side dishes and a seasonal salad
too to balance out the plate. After you make your selections, include those
ingredients on your list.
Baking Dishes
Casseroles
are a holiday staple, of course, and you need something to bake those
casseroles in. It's a good idea to have a few baking dishes in different shapes
and sizes readily available so you can whip up several dishes at once.
Our Choice: Pyrex Easy Grab and Store Baking Set
Baking Sheets
Good-rimmed
baking sheets (aka sheet pans) make roasting vegetables easy and catch drips from
baking pies before they burn to the bottom of your oven. The best sheets won't
warp when introduced to high heat. If your kitchen needs a couple, now's the
time to get them.
Our Choice: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Half Sheet
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Stock up on
plenty of potatoes when you head to the store. We suggest getting russet
potatoes for mashing or baking, waxier Yukon Gold for gratins or casseroles,
and, of course, plenty of sweet potatoes for either sweet potato pie or for
marshmallow-topped casserole. Potatoes have a decent shelf life, so even if you
don't use all of them on Thanksgiving, you'll have some on hand for a future
meal.
Green Beans
Check to see
if your recipe requires fresh or frozen green beans. Both are tasty and
healthy, but it's worth getting what the recipe suggests, as they require
different prep and cooking methods.
Bread
Grab a hearty
sourdough loaf a few days before Thanksgiving to make your own croutons,
stuffing, and bread crumbs. They'll make your dishes unforgettable.
Flour
All-purpose
Flour is necessary for two main reasons. It will be used to thicken up your
gravy and is also a big part of most of your pies and other baked goods.
Cranberries
Of course, fresh or frozen cranberries go in your cranberry sauce, which is not difficult
to make and tastes far, far better than that jelly tube you dump out of a can.
But the fruit can be featured in other sweet and savory recipes too, like
salads, sides, desserts, and even drinks. Here are some of our favorite ways to
use cranberries.
Desserts
On
Thanksgiving, there's always room for dessert. Whether you're preparing a pie
recipe, a batch of cookies, or maybe a three-layer cake, every sweet out there
requires a few tools and ingredients before getting it in the oven.
Stand Mixer
Is it,
strictly speaking, necessary? No. But you'll save so much time and effort on
everything from mixing batter to whipping cream that you really will wish you'd
bought one years before. And while there are cheaper options out there,
unfortunately, you really do get what you pay for. Invest in a quality stand
mixer, and for the next twenty years, every time you bake you'll be glad you
did. **Bonus, they come in many fun colors and look great on the kitchen counter!
Our Choice: KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Sugar
If you plan
on doing a lot of baking, it's a good rule of thumb to have granulated sugar,
brown sugar (light and dark are usually interchangeable), and confectioners'
sugar on hand.
Heavy Cream
Skip the store-bought
whipped cream and make your own with heavy cream this year. It's one of the
easiest—and tastiest—additions to go along with your treats.
Whole Nuts
Whether
you're making pecan pie, adding walnuts to stuffing, or just setting out spiced
nuts for folks to nosh on before dinner, you'll probably want plenty of whole
nuts.
Pumpkin Purée
The majority
of pumpkin pie recipes call for canned pumpkin purée—not fresh pumpkin. And
while typically we like to recommend fresh over canned, this is one situation
where the canned stuff is actually better. There's a lot less prep and
practically no difference in taste.
Apples
Whether
you're baking an apple pie or a different apple dessert, or maybe making an apple
and celery salad, be sure to pick up some fresh apples—maybe even from your
local orchard—to have on hand. Before you buy them, check to see which type of
apple your recipe recommends.
Finding the Right Meal Delivery Service is Crucial for Everyone
Food &
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plan some meal programs will provide only frozen or freeze-dried meals. Other
companies for a certain time period provide everything you need, while to
create a healthy meal at home everything you need is provided by newer
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Their meal plans provide healthy and fresh pre-packaged meals timely. Fresh
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Healthy meal delivery Toronto - Ordering cooked food to
eat at home
Food &
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Diet Meals Delivery - Fantastic Meals for When You Are
Too Busy to Diet!
Food &
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